A Nottinghamshire care home that was rated 'inadequate' four times in a row has been pulled out of special measures after making 'significant improvements'.

Victoria Cottage Residential Home, in Lowdham, had its rating raised to 'requires improvement' after the Care Quality Commission carried out an inspection on May 11.

It comes a year-and-a-half after the home, managed by Sun Care Homes Limited, was given its first 'inadequate' rating and placed in special measures in January 2016.

If an organisation is placed in special measures and fails to make adequate improvements within a designated time frame, the CQC is able to suspend its registration and stop it from operating.

Shortly after the home, which cares for elderly residents, was placed in special measures, Nottinghamshire County Council suspended its contract with the home after being alerted to worries about staffing levels, training, medication, management and care planning.

But an inspection report, published on Thursday, June 22, shows that "significant improvements' have been made by staff working at the home.

It states: "The provider had a vision for the service. The nominated individual told us that they were 'sowing the seeds for outstanding' and told us about projects planned to further improve the experience of people who used the service. This included improvements to the garden and external areas of the home, building connections with the local community and further improving systems within the service.

"The management team told us that the provider was committed to delivering a high quality service at Victoria Cottage Residential Home and provided resources for development of the service. Some areas of the service had been refurbished and further works were planned to improve the environment for both people living there and staff."

The report shows that the home has made improvements in three of the main areas - safety, effectiveness and caring - since an inspection in January 2017, and is now considered to be 'good' in each.

But safety at the home still 'requires improvement', as does its leadership, which was previously considered to be 'inadequate'.

Nottinghamshire County Council is yet to reinstate its contract with the home.

Cherry Dunk, group manager for quality and market management at the council, said: "We have been working with the CQC and staff, residents and relatives at Victoria Cottage for a number of months to ensure that the quality of care at the home is improved.

"We are aware that the CQC has removed their 'notice for closure' [special measures] and will soon go back to the home to confirm that they have made the improvements we have stated are required.

"If we are satisfied that these improvements have been made, we will life our contract suspension."

A spokeswoman for Victoria Cottage Residential Home declined to comment.